Keep Horizon Cat or buy Hunter 260

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rlawton

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May 17, 2009
5
Compac Horizon Cat Binghamton
I Love my Horizon Cat but miss some things from sailing my previous Seaward 25 and 26RK, like a headsail, better light wind performance, standing while sailing, stern rail seats, walking into the cabin instead of crawling.

I have been cruising with my Horizon Cat in the North Channel, sometimes alone sometimes with my 20 year-old son. What started this was my 22 year-old daughter saying she might want to go, too. They are both at Syracuse University and will probably be moving away after graduation so I would hate to miss this opportunity to spend a couple of weeks with both. My wife? Hates boats.

I got a lead on a 2002 Hunter 260 at a good price:

http://www.rahnlawton.com/Hunter260/

And here are pictures of last year's North Channel cruise (solo) where the Horizon cat was perfect:

http://www.rahnlawton.com/2012NC/

I hope to retire in 2 years and think the Horizon Cat is the perfect boat for me then.

All opinions are welcome.
 
cyasurfin

cyasurfin

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Nov 16, 2010
10
Cape Dory Typhoon Mission Bay
The Hunter looks good BUT the Cat is beautiful! I really like the traditional lines. I have never sailed a Cat(maybe similar to a Laser or Sunfish with only one sail to handle).I would like to try one out. Good luck. Tough choice!
 
Merlin Clark

Merlin Clark

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Oct 26, 2005
2,057
- - Satellite Beach, FL.
I'm with cya! Can you keep the cat and rent a larger boat for family adventures?
The Hunter might fit your current needs but I think would be harder to deal with, trailering, stepping mast, and all than the Com Pac.
Also, the Hunter isn't going to measure up to a Seaward.
 
sinnettc

sinnettc

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May 23, 2007
1,306
Catalina Capri 22 Albany, Oregon
I agree, keep the cat. Surely you can figure out a way to camp with 3 . . .

I've seen another catboat where the owner added a sprit & forestay for a small jib . . .
 
rgranger

rgranger

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Jan 19, 2010
12,553
Hobie 16 & Rhodes 22 Skeeter Charleston
Can you turn the cockpit into a dual bunk at night? The enclosure looks fantastic.

I'd be worried about losing a season getting the "new" boat up to standards. You are already familiar with the Cat boat.
 
R

rlawton

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May 17, 2009
5
Compac Horizon Cat Binghamton
Thanks for the replies, everyone.

In the North Channel, as soon as the sun goes down a bunch of large thirsty mosquitos come out. My cockpit tent did come with a screen but Canadian mosquitos are tenacious and find a way in. I considered a bug bivy but it's not just sleeping. It's pretty crowded with three onboard.
 
S

sesmith

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Jul 1, 2010
990
Catalina 350 Port Huron
Rahn,

Keep the cat...nice looking boat. The 260 won't compare to your / my seaward 25. As much as I like our previous (and just sold) H 23.5, I've never really liked the lines of the 26 /260 's. Just my personal preference. Anything you didn't like about the way your old 23.5 handled and sailed will be similar with the 260. The weight isn't really that much less than the Seaward, so towing a 260 will be similar to towing a Seaward. Maybe another Seaward is out there calling your name? Just an idea. Actually, for a boat to tow places and have room for 2 for a week, the 23.5 isn't a bad choice either, though the enclosed head of the larger boats is a real nice plus. If the price is really right on the 260, buy it and resell it in a couple of years.

The 2 cents of someone who doesn't have a nickel invested in your decision :) I noticed no 260 ovners have chimed in yet, so maybe we're all biased the other way, so far.

Scott
 
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Crazy Dave Condon

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Jun 8, 2004
10,375
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Sessmith;

Taking your suggestion, I will chime in. As a former sailboat dealer, I always would ask questions of the customer what he would do with the sailboat. Would he want to day sail only or would like to sail and stay on board. I would ask questions until the person would describe what he really wanted to do with a sailboat which is the first and most important question. Then I would go from there pointing out the different styles what each offered without bashing the competition. When a salesman bashes the competition, he generally lowers himself and thus looses confidence in his customer's eyes.

Over the years, I nearlly sold all of the various boats and yes the Hunter 260 was and will always be my favorite but would let the customers make their own choice.

When the decision what to do with a boat, pointing out those style boats, then I always suggested to the buyer whatever he liked the most to go with that as experience told me they would keep that boat much longer. I also encouraged the customer not to think of today only but for future consideration as it was costly to buy another boat 3-5 years in the future to upgrade.

In essence, the buyer needs to decide what he is going to do with a boat, look at the varuios style once he knows what he wants to do taking into account that he may want to keep that boat for years. IN addition, asthetics also account into this equastion. This is about the best advice I can give.

crazy dave condon
 
S

sesmith

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Jul 1, 2010
990
Catalina 350 Port Huron
Dave,

All great advise. I used to be in sales myself (owned a tool franchise) and couldn't agree more.

There is a little history in my post (unknown to anyone here but Rahn, the OP). I recently became the owner of a Seaward 25. Rahn was the original owner of my boat (with a couple of other owners in between). He also used to own a 23.5 hunter, as well. I emailed him earlier this year to let him know where "his" boat is currently living. So I'm picking on him a little with the whole Seaward thing (obviously unknown to you). No Hunter bashing intended. Actually, we will miss our 23.5 a lot. I'm hoping the Seaward 25 meets my expectations. We had a lot of good times on the 23.5, and I hope the new owner does too.

FWIW, that horizon cat is a beautiful boat. If I had one, it would only be able to be pried out of my cold dead hands :)

Horizon cat brochure link for anyone interested:

http://www.com-pacyachts.com/pdfs/Horizon-Cat-Brochure.pdf

Scott
 
R

rlawton

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May 17, 2009
5
Compac Horizon Cat Binghamton
Scott,

You're going to love the Seaward. Does it still have the cruising spinnaker? That was a lot of fun on Cayuga - tack up the lake, spinnaker back to the marina. I would probably still own my S26RK if the keel bulb hadn't fallen off.

Couple of things: The S25 is very sensitive to fore and aft weight. I used to carry rocks in the v birth to balance it out. Also it loved sailing wing on wing.

I am having a real hard time selling my Horizon Cat as there is someone very interested and I got a real good price for the 260. Part of me wants to buy it, fix some stuff, clean it and resell it just for fun but the state of New York wants their tax and I don't want to give money away.

Here's a slideshow I put together of last year's solo cruise with my Horizon Cat in the North Channel.

http://www.rahnlawton.com/2012NC/
 
onecoolair

onecoolair

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Jun 25, 2012
942
hunter 356 Kemah,the Republic of Texas
rlawton said:
Scott,

You're going to love the Seaward. Does it still have the cruising spinnaker? That was a lot of fun on Cayuga - tack up the lake, spinnaker back to the marina. I would probably still own my S26RK if the keel bulb hadn't fallen off.

Couple of things: The S25 is very sensitive to fore and aft weight. I used to carry rocks in the v birth to balance it out. Also it loved sailing wing on wing.

I am having a real hard time selling my Horizon Cat as there is someone very interested and I got a real good price for the 260. Part of me wants to buy it, fix some stuff, clean it and resell it just for fun but the state of New York wants their tax and I don't want to give money away.

Here's a slideshow I put together of last year's solo cruise with my Horizon Cat in the North Channel.

http://www.rahnlawton.com/2012NC/
Click to expand
The link does not work!!
 
S

sesmith

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Jul 1, 2010
990
Catalina 350 Port Huron
rlawton said:
Scott,

You're going to love the Seaward. Does it still have the cruising spinnaker? That was a lot of fun on Cayuga - tack up the lake, spinnaker back to the marina. I would probably still own my S26RK if the keel bulb hadn't fallen off.

Couple of things: The S25 is very sensitive to fore and aft weight. I used to carry rocks in the v birth to balance it out. Also it loved sailing wing on wing.

I am having a real hard time selling my Horizon Cat as there is someone very interested and I got a real good price for the 260. Part of me wants to buy it, fix some stuff, clean it and resell it just for fun but the state of New York wants their tax and I don't want to give money away.

Here's a slideshow I put together of last year's solo cruise with my Horizon Cat in the North Channel.

http://www.rahnlawton.com/2012NC/
Click to expand
Thanks for the tips. Yes, it still has the spinnaker. It looks like it's hardly been used at all. In fact, the other sails look to be in great (almost new looking condition) as well. The prior owner kept the brightwork like new with cetol. He did use Polyglow on the hull. I'm planning on removing it this spring, buffing and waxing instead.
 
S

sesmith

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Jul 1, 2010
990
Catalina 350 Port Huron
T

trevor clarke

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Apr 20, 2013
7
catalina 250 adelaide
firstly being australian i may not think as an american so please forgive me if i see it differently but i feel if your children love you it would not matter what material possesion you took them away in they would still love you so dont go over extending yourself it can take away your joy by not allowing you to remain totally present for them.Whatever decision you make with your heart not your mind ti will be the right one.
 
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